Sami Khedira and 20 Potential Free Transfers in the 2015 Summer Window
In 2015, Sami Khedira and some of Europe's top players could be available for free if their current contracts are not extended.
The January transfer window will provide the first opportunity for clubs to sign these players at bargain prices. If bids are resisted, their current sides could be risking losing them on a Bosman in the summer.
Pre-contract agreements can also be penned by players who have less than six months remaining on their deals, as we saw with Robert Lewandowski's move to Bayern Munich last term.
This slideshow looks at 20 prospective free agents—arranged in age order. We begin with younger players, such as Paris Saint-Germain's Adrien Rabiot, Liverpool's Suso and Aston Villa's Fabian Delph, before working our way up to more experienced names, such as Nigel de Jong, Michael Carrick and John Terry.
Players whose contracts are ending, yet look unlikely to move have a dedicated slide. Read on for more.
All transfer information comes from Transfermarkt.com.
Players with Expiring Contracts Who Appear Unlikely to Move
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- Giorgio Chiellini: A loyal servant to Juventus since 2005, the 30-year-old has recently stated his desire to stay with the reigning Serie A champions, despite his current contract expiring in June. As reported by Football Italia, the defender said: "I hope that Juve is my final team, I would see out my career here."
- Steven Gerrard: The 34-year-old's current Liverpool deal will run until summer 2015, but the Anfield captain has already been tipped for a one-year extension, as reported by Sky Sports.
- Andrea Ranocchia: The Inter Milan centre-back's current contract will run until next June. However, if reports are true, he will be extending his stay at San Siro. As quoted on Football Italia on September 27, he said: "I think I'll sign the contract renewal within 10 days. I would gladly have signed until 2029, but I'd be too old! I have no other ideas for my future, and I want to stay here for a long time."
- Rumours suggest that Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon will be extending his current deal to 2017, as seen on Football Italia.
- Jon Flanagan: Liverpool's 21-year-old right-back's existing deal runs out in June. However, he told the Liverpool Echo in August: "There have been some talks, and I should be signing a new contract soon."
Honourable Mentions
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Other notable players whose contracts (correct at the time of writing) will end in 2015:
- Anderson, Manchester United
- Ignazio Abate, AC Milan
- Emmanuel Adebayor, Tottenham Hotspur
- Luiz Adriano, Shakhtar Donetsk
- Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
- Khouma Babacar, Fiorentina
- Yoann Gourcuff, Lyon
- Glen Johnson, Liverpool
- Stephane Mbia, Sevilla
- Niklas Moisander, Ajax
- Goran Pandev, Galatasaray
- Alexandre Pato, Sao Paulo
- Maxi Pereira, Benfica
- Jeremy Toulalan, Monaco
- Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal
- Mark Noble, West Ham
- Winston Reid, West Ham
- Adama Traore, Barcelona B
- Rafael van der Vaart, Hamburg
- Connor Wickham, Sunderland
- Maya Yoshida, Southampton
- Carlos Zambrano, Eintracht Frankfurt
20. Adrien Rabiot
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Expect to see Adrien Rabiot linked with a long list of potential suitors as 2015 nears.
Last term, the central midfielder turned down a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain when it appeared that the French club were unwilling to negotiate a big increase in wages, according to L'Equipe (h/t Jamie Sanderson in Metro).
Rabiot ended the 2013/14 season strongly—playing 10, 90-minute Ligue 1 games out of 12 and winning his second consecutive league title with Laurent Blanc's side.
However, the 19-year-old is yet to feature this term, and with the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti ahead of him in the pecking order, he could be tempted to leave the Parc des Princes.
According to John Cross in the Mirror, PSG are keen to sell the French under-21 international in January, with Arsenal and Roma both credited with interest.
Elsewhere, Sport Mediaset (h/t Jamie Anderson in the Express) claim that Arsenal and Chelsea will be battling to get the youngster for free next summer.
19. Suso
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Jesus Fernandez Saez or "Suso" has been involved in just 21 first-team games for Liverpool since being signed as a teenager in 2010.
The 20-year-old Spaniard spent last season on loan in La Liga at Almeria, where he made 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times and registering nine assists.
Suso has made one outing for Brendan Rodgers' side this term, in Liverpool's League Cup win against Middlesbrough, in which he scored and put away two penalties in a dramatic 14-13 shootout win.
With less than 12 months remaining on his contract with the Reds, there are already rumours of an Anfield exit, with AC Milan said to be the winger's next destination.
These rumblings, yet to be confirmed, have been reported by Sky Italia (h/t Ben Burrows in the Mirror). Unless his deal is extended on Merseyside, Suso will be allowed to leave as a free agent next summer.
18. Fabian Schar
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Fabian Schar was an excellent find for FC Basel, who signed the 22-year-old from FC Wil in 2012.
The Switzerland international has appeared in 84 games for RotBlau since then, winning two Swiss Super League titles and weighing in with 15 goals from centre-back.
Audiences in England may remember Schar from his assured Champions League performances against Chelsea in the 2013/14 season. The Premier League side were beaten both home and away and an assist from the young defender helped Basel to their 1-0 win at St. Jakob-Park.
Perhaps Schar will get another chance to impress against English top-flight opposition in Basel's upcoming European ties against Liverpool.
According to Izzy Horsefield in the Express, he is already being watched by Arsenal, with Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund also said to be interested.
17. Andriy Yarmolenko
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Dynamo Kiev's Andriy Yarmolenko is no stranger to transfer gossip, and with his contract set to run out in June, he could prove to be an excellent and cheap addition for a number of European teams.
The 24-year-old has already registered five goals and four assists in the Ukrainian Premier League this term, with a further strike recorded against Rio Ave in the Europa League on September 18.
According to Simon Jones in the Daily Mail, Yarmolenko was linked with Chelsea over the summer, with the Daily Star's Gary Jones suggesting that Liverpool were also interested in the winger, who—it is claimed—is a long-term target for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
In 227 games for Dynamo, Yarmolenko has scored 82 goals and registered 47 assists.
16. Fabian Delph
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Aston Villa's Fabian Delph could be a free agent in summer 2015. If early rumours prove correct, the 24-year-old may already be on the shopping list of a number of Premier League sides.
Signed by then-Villa boss Martin O'Neill in 2009, Delph has clocked up over 100 games for the Midlands club. His performances in midfield have seen the former Leeds United man called-up to the senior England squad, with Delph appearing in games against Norway and Switzerland in September.
As with most players at the moment, Delph is being linked with Arsenal. He is also being mooted for a move to Everton, according to Steve Stammers in the Mirror.
15. Andre Ayew
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Andre Ayew's Marseille current deal expires next June, and the 24-year-old is likely to be an attractive target for plenty of European teams.
The Ghana international has made almost 200 appearances for Marcelo Bielsa's side, where he came up through the ranks. In that time, he has put away 51 goals and registered 22 assists.
Ayew went to the World Cup with the Black Stars this summer, and he scored in consecutive Group G matches against the United States and Germany.
Inevitably, this helped to fuel summer speculation linking him with a move away from the Stade Velodrome. As reported by Anthony Chapman in the Express, Ayew was attracting interest from both Manchester United and Liverpool on the day he faced Portugal at Brazil 2014.
Perhaps he will extend his stay with Marseille but, while scoring goals like this in Ligue 1, plenty of clubs will come calling.
14. Yevhen Konoplyanka
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According to Simon Jones in the Daily Mail, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk were reluctant to let Yevhen Konoplyanka leave the Dnipro-Arena in summer 2014.
With a move to West Ham on the cards, the winger remained in the Ukraine; the east London club appearing to balk at his £12 million release clause.
This followed a failed January move to Liverpool, when three days of negotiations broke down on deadline day, as reported by Chris Bascombe in The Telegraph.
In the Express, Alex Harris has suggested that the 25-year-old was attracting attention from clubs such as Roma, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur over the summer.
Next year, Konoplyanka could leave Dnipro for nothing if his current contract is allowed to run down.
You may remember the Ukraine international for the goal he scored against England at Wembley in a World Cup qualification game in September 2012.
13. Atsuto Uchida
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Japan international Atsuto Uchida is in his fifth Bundesliga season with Schalke after signing from Kashima Antlers in 2010.
At the end of the current campaign, the right-back could be out of contract. Chances are, he won't be short of offers.
Having recently returned from injury, Uchida is currently Bundesliga.com's Player of the Week following his excellent performance during Schalke's 2-1 Ruhr Derby win against Borussia Dortmund.
The 26-year-old was linked with Arsenal during the last transfer window, as reported by John Cross in the Mirror.
12. Sebastian Giovinco
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If a new deal is not forthcoming, Sebastian Giovinco could exit Juventus for free upon the season's end.
The 27-year-old struggled for regular playing time under former Juve manager Antonio Conte, making just six starts in Serie A last season.
This term, it looks like new boss Massimiliano Allegri will be shuffling his pack more than his predecessor. However, Giovinco has only appeared in one league game out of five so far in 2014/15.
Over the summer, the Turin-born player was being linked with a move away from Juve, with the player's agent, Andrea D'Amico, telling Calcionews24.com (h/t FourFourTwo):
"I am not surprised that Arsenal and Tottenham are being linked, considering the quality of Arsene Wenger's choices and the fine level of Tottenham's squad. However, they are not the only clubs. Olympiacos, Monaco and Liverpool? There are many other teams, as Giovinco is appreciated everywhere.
Giovinco had a season that individually could've been more satisfying, but when called into action he proved what a champion he is. At Juventus there are no other players with his characteristics. Clearly, he needs to play more consistently.
"
Elsewhere, Tuttosport (h/t talkSPORT.com) claim that Giovinco will part ways with Juve in January.
11. Sami Khedira
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The subject of much speculation during the summer, Sami Khedira will be one of next year's hottest free-agent prospects if his current deal is allowed to expire.
As reported back in August, the World Cup-winning midfielder was said to have rejected contract talks with Real Madrid, who were seeking to extend his deal beyond its current date of 2015.
At the time, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was quoted in The Guardian, as saying: "He's not asked to go. He's rejected an offer to renew but has a year of contract. We'll see what happens."
According to reports coming out of Spain (h/t James Dickenson in the Express), Arsenal are already planning a move for the 27-year-old.
Formerly of Stuttgart, Khedira has been at the Bernabeu since summer 2010.
10. Younes Kaboul
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According to Matt Law in The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur were ready to sell Younes Kaboul during the 2014 summer transfer window as they pursued Villarreal's Mateo Musacchio.
Instead, the 28-year-old remained at White Hart Lane, was handed the captain's armband and has performed admirably so far this season—most notably in his side's recent 1-1 north London derby draw with Arsenal.
With less than 12 months to run on his current Spurs contract, it's unclear as to whether Kaboul has a long-term future with the side who purchased central defenders Eric Dier and Federico Fazio over the summer.
Law tipped Lazio as a possible destination for the Frenchman, who could be available for nothing in exactly nine months' time.
9. James Milner
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Now into his fourth year at Manchester City, James Milner could be set for an exit in 2015 if his current contract is not extended.
The England international, formerly of Leeds United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, will be a free agent in June and has already hinted that he could look for a move away from the Etihad if he is not guaranteed regular first-team football. As Milner told the Daily Star (h/t Skysports.com):
"I understand I won't play in every game, I just want a fair crack of the whip, a few more games than I got last year.
You have to perform as well, and that is never easy when you are in and out of the team. I want to play as well as I can, and the more you play the more you can show what you can do.
I have a year left and have spoken to the club. I love it here and would love to stay at Manchester City but first and foremost I am a footballer and want to play football.
"
Milner has featured for 90 minutes in City's last three Premier League outings after being on the bench for the previous two and playing just 12 minutes of the season opener against Newcastle.
Last term, he made just 12 starts in the English top flight.
As reported by Stuart James in The Guardian in July: "The 28-year-old is in a strong position and there are several leading Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, interested in signing him."
8. Andre-Pierre Gignac
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French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac will come to the end of his Marseille contract in June and, based on current form, will have no shortage of suitors looking to pick him up for a bargain price.
Eight goals in eight league games has seen the 28-year-old get off to a flying start this season, and he currently tops the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts, with three more than his closest competitor, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Gignac's agent, Christopher Hutteau, has wasted no time in making sure his client is firmly in the shop window, telling L'Equipe (h/t Sky Sports):
"Given the fact that he is not very old, he has a real market value.
This is a striker with a relatively atypical profile, responsive to the physical challenge, the archetypal player who can succeed at a big club.
He can play in England, Arsenal or Liverpool, no problem. For me, it is between €12million (£9.5m) and €15million (£11m).
"
7. Ron Vlaar
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Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar was one of the surprising success stories of the 2014 World Cup, during which he impressed in defence for the Netherlands.
The 29-year-old's performances in Brazil, coupled with a scarcity of centre-backs in the summer transfer market, saw him linked with a variety of summer moves.
According to rumours, Villa could have sold the 29-year-old to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, as reported by Alex Harris in the Daily Star.
With his contract set to expire next June, Paul Lambert's side may lose Vlaar for nothing.
However, according to Brendan McLoughlin in the Mirror, Villa are keen to tie him down to a new deal.
6. Nigel De Jong
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Nigel de Jong's time in an AC Milan shirt may be about to come to an end, that is if his current deal is not extended past 2015.
The 29-year-old already finds himself he subject of transfer speculation—summer rumours suggested that he could be on his way to Manchester United, as reported in The Telegraph.
However, when asked about the Netherlands international's future at Milan (and that of team-mate Ignazio Abate), club chief executive Adriano Galliani told Italian media (h/t Sky Sports): "There is time. They won't escape."
The defensive midfielder, formerly of Ajax, Hamburg and Manchester City, has made 65 appearances for the Rossoneri since signing for the club in 2012. He played a big role for the Oranje over the summer, as Louis van Gaal's side reached the semi-finals at the World Cup.
5. Stephan Lichtsteiner
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Stephan Lichtsteiner's Juventus contract is up in June and there is already speculation about a move away from Massimiliano Allegri's team.
As reported by Tuttosport (h/t Sky Sports), the 30-year-old has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain as part of a swap deal that would see Adrien Rabiot heading the other way.
A solid performer at right-back, the Switzerland international had this to say about the gossip:
"Am I disappointed by rumours of a possible exchange with Rabiot? I do not know anything about it. I hear so many rumours.
I am focused on the championship—there is always time for the contract renewal. Am I'm going to run out my deal? I do not want to talk about that.
"
Lichtsteiner has racked up over 100 appearances for Juve since joining the side from Lazio in 2011. This season, he has bagged one assist and one goal in five Serie A games this season.
4. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar joined Schalke in August 2010, following short-lived spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Now, into the final 12 months of his current contract, he may be tempted by another switch in 2015.
With Schalke, the Dutch striker has rediscovered the goalscoring form that turned him into one of Europe's most desirable transfer targets while at Ajax, with 94 goals in 147 games—including a strike during Schalke's recent Champions League game against Maribor. With Ajax—between 2006 and 2009—he notched 105 goals in 135 games.
According to Anthony Chapman in the Express, Schalke are keen to offer the 31-year-old a new deal, amid rumours of interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
3. Dani Alves
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After seven trophy-laden years with Barcelona, Dani Alves will be parting ways with the La Liga club at the end of the season.
News that the two-time Champions League winner would be leaving was confirmed by Barca's sporting director Andoni Zubizaretta, via the club's official Twitter account on September 2 (h/t ESPNFC.com).
There will be a long list of potential suitors for the 31-year-old Brazil international. Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are all keen on the full-back, according to Simon Rice in The Independent. Rice also credits Juventus and "various other major sides in Europe" as being interested in Alves.
Despite a decline in form and rumours of large wage demands—which Le Parisien (h/t Marca) described as a deterrent to Paris Saint-Germain's interest over the summer—picking up Alves for free would still be seen as a coup for many European sides.
2. Michael Carrick
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Michael Carrick has notched 359 appearances for Manchester United since joining the side in 2006.
The former West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who has won five Premier League titles in his time at Old Trafford, has a contract that is set to run out next June.
If this report by Jamie Anderson in the Express is to be believed, Carrick could be released from Louis van Gaal's side at the season's end.
Due to injury, Carrick has yet to feature for Van Gaal this term, though he is expected to return this month.
1. John Terry
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In the 2014 summer transfer window, Chelsea bade farewell to Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Samuel Eto'o. All three were in their 30s, all three are greats in their respective positions and all three left for nothing.
Could John Terry follow the same route in 2015?
Now in his 17th senior campaign with the Blues, there would doubtless be a rush of clubs eager to sign the 33-year-old who, despite his years, would still have plenty to offer.
Terry signed a new one-year contract in May, as reported by BBC Sport.
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